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Having recently launched a corporate and commercial offering, national law firm Sparke Helmore bolsters its ranks in that area with the hire of a team from global rival Clyde & Co – the second team it has taken from that BigLaw firm in six months.
In recent weeks, Sparke Helmore has expanded into northern Queensland, opening its 10th national office with a trio from BigLaw rival Holding Redlich, who will sit in the firm’s planning environment and local government team, and has unveiled a technology offering within its corporate and commercial practice, appointing two new partners, who came across from Bird & Bird and King & Wood Mallesons.
Now, it has moved to expand that new offering with the appointment of a partner and his team of four from Clyde & Co.
Matt Ellis (pictured) has joined the firm from Clyde & Co, where he spent over two years as a partner. Prior to this, he was a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright for five and a half years.
He advises clients, Sparke Helmore outlined in a statement, principally in the insurance sector, on corporate transactions and reorganisations, regulatory compliance, insurance and reinsurance, governance, and risk management, and brings more than two decades of experience in the insurance sector. Having worked in both the Australian and London markets, he has extensive knowledge across the life insurance sectors and a deep understanding of all facets of the conduct of an insurance business.
Ellis has also brought special counsel Isabella Jones and Crystal Sanders, associate Matthew Boyhan, and paralegal Jack Speck across to Sparke Helmore with him. The team will be based across the firm’s Sydney and Melbourne offices.
He started at Sparke Helmore last week, while his team will commence in their new roles this week.
The team is the second that the national firm has taken from Clyde & Co in the last six months, following partner Janette McLennan bringing her team of four lawyers to Sparke Helmore back in May.
The news also follows a year of growth for Sparke Helmore.
In mid-September, the firm added a special counsel from MinterEllison; promoted a commercial insurance practice to special counsel at the beginning of the month; elevated five to partner and 32 to senior positions in July; hired Simon Lewis and Alice Chen within the firm’s projects and government commercial practice group in May; appointed Sheldon Garcia, formerly a partner at BigLaw rival HWL Ebsworth, as a new partner in the group in mid-April; and added three professionals, including partner Marie-Clare Elder, in February.
Sparke Helmore national practice leader for corporate and commercial Julien Castaldi said: “We are excited to welcome Matt to our team.
“Matt’s reputation is unparalleled, and he is known for his deep expertise and high-quality service to his clients. His know-how will allow us to expand the services we provide to our clients and support the continued growth of our corporate and commercial practice and create a seamless alignment with our colleagues in commercial insurance.
“We’re also delighted that Matt is bringing a high-calibre team with him.”
Ellis said: “I am pleased to enter the next phase of my career with Sparke Helmore.
“It was important for me and my team to join a full-service law firm known for its culture of collaboration and collegiality, and one with a clearly defined strategy for growth and success.
“This opportunity allows me to continue with both my corporate and insurance sector focus and to deliver for our clients across the complex transactional and regulatory work we do.”
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Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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Jerome Doraisamy
